Anthony Joshua Faces Eddie Hearn Dispute Over Next Fight After Loss

Anthony Joshua faced a significant setback on Saturday night when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley, a defeat that adds to his previous losses against Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr. This latest loss has left Joshua, now 34, determined to seek revenge against Dubois, who successfully defended his IBF heavyweight title. The fight was a dominating performance by Dubois, which has raised questions about Joshua's future in the sport. Promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that while Joshua is keen on an immediate rematch, there are other considerations at play. Hearn mentioned that they have a contractual option for a rematch, but he is also contemplating the timing of such a fight. He suggested that waiting for the outcome of the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk rematch on December 21 could be a strategic move. Hearn emphasized the importance of making the right decision for Joshua's career, noting that he has only a limited number of fights left. He expressed concern about ensuring Joshua leaves the sport at the right time, especially if his performance begins to decline. The outcome of the upcoming Fury vs. Usyk fight could significantly influence Joshua's next steps, as a victory for Fury might set up a potential unification bout between him and Joshua in the future. Meanwhile, Dubois is likely to be open to a rematch, given his recent victory.